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High dKh.
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SkylerS View Drop Down
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Joined: January 11 2012
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    Posted: February 22 2012 at 6:54pm
Hey guys, I have a kit that tests dKh in ppm, I got a reading of 240 which translates to 13.44 dKh which I know is high.  I must admit that I don't test alkalinity.  I was until recently a tank dabbler with several soft corals.  I've now accepted I'm a reef enthusiast and I'm starting to hammer down on my parameters.  How do I lower my dKh?
Ammonia:0
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: 0
dkh:13.44
calcium 520
pH. 8.4
Mag 1600ppm (increased intentionally for bryopsis)
phosphate: .5ppm

I used to dose weekly calcium and strontium according to the "beginner" advice on the bottles.  No more! Thanks guys!
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BobC63 View Drop Down
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Joined: January 17 2007
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Points: 8964 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote BobC63 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 22 2012 at 8:01pm
What brand of test kit?
 
Very difficult to have that high of a dKH and that high of a Ca reading at the same time...
- My Current Tank: 65g Starfire (sitting empty for 2+ years) -

* Marine & Reef tanks since 1977 *
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SkylerS View Drop Down
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Calcium is API.  The alk is a mardel 5 in 1 strip so I know probably not super accurate.  What's your opinion?
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BillyC View Drop Down
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I suggest getting a good test kit or getting it checked at the LFS. those numbers don't sound right to me either.
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BobC63 View Drop Down
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Points: 8964 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote BobC63 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 22 2012 at 8:50pm
API will read @ 500 if the reagents are old (although it is possible to have a 500 Ca reading)
Test strips are notoriously unreliable. If your Ca really is 500+ ppm, your alk would probably be down around 7 - 8 dKH... not 13+
 
Like Billy said, you can take a water sample to a LFS and most will check your water for free.
 
 
 
 
- My Current Tank: 65g Starfire (sitting empty for 2+ years) -

* Marine & Reef tanks since 1977 *
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Teknik777 View Drop Down
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Joined: February 25 2011
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On a side note are you dosing? If so how much and what?
220 G SPS Display.



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SkylerS View Drop Down
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Points: 262 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote SkylerS Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 22 2012 at 9:08pm
I was dosing off the bottles suggested beginner doses.  I don't remember off the top of my head.  but I was sporadic anyhow.  I'll recheck the alk tomorrow.  I'm sure the calcium is that high though.  Seeing as how I was dosing it and it's a fairly new test kit.
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Mark Peterson View Drop Down
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Points: 21436 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Mark Peterson Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 23 2012 at 5:20pm
Alk is acceptable between 8-14 dKH.
Your parameters are okay, just stop dosing Alk for a while.
A younger tank full of soft coral and not much coralline algae does not need much Alk and Ca dosing.
I suspect a high Ca salt mix is being used which typically tests around 500 ppm Ca even when Alk is at the top of the range.
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SkylerS View Drop Down
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Points: 262 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote SkylerS Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 23 2012 at 7:28pm
Retested and got dkh of 10. I feel better about that. Thanks guys.
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